THE 5th Davao City Baseball Cup will kick off on February 5 at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina campus.
Organizers said preparations are on high gear for the two-day event that will showcase the city's best elementary and secondary baseball teams.
The Lt. Col. Villafuerte Sr. School Sluggers of Calinan and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) lead the cast of elementary teams seeing action in the meet initiated by Davao-born Japanase Tatsuo Uchida and his grandson Yusuke with PNKJKIS administrator Ines P. Mallari five years ago.
Also entered are Bangkal-based A. Mabini School Strikers, the A. Loyola School Tigers of Crossing Bayabas, the Baguio Central School Predators of Baguio District, Bayabas Elementary School of Toril, the Calinan Central School Achievers of Calinan, Catalunan Grande Elementary School Wildcats, the F. Bangoy Central Knights of Sasa, Mulig Elementary School Slashers of Mulig, Toril, Quirino Elementary School, San Juan Elementary School, Talomo Central Elementary School Little Boys, and the Wangan Elementary School Cubs.
The Crossing Bayabas National High School Sluggers along with the Baguio High School of Agriculture Eagles of Tawantawan, Baguio National School of Arts and Trade, Calinan National High School Angels, F. Bustamante National High School Sailors, the Holy Cross College of Calinan and the PNJKIS will vie for the secondary title.
The annual tournament is organized by the Datu Uchida Development Foundation and the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club, in cooperation with the Davao City Baseball Association (DCBA).
Tatsuo Uchida, Davao-born Japanese, initiated the project five years ago with grandson Yusuke and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School administrator Ines P. Mallari to bring baseball into life again as a well-loved sport.